Day 8 of the 97th All-India MCC-Murugappa Gold Cup Hockey Tournament

Chennai, 30 October 2026: Indian Railways (RSPB) booked their place in the semi-finals after dominating the tournament with three wins and one draw, the latest being a thrilling 4-4 draw against Punjab National Bank (PNB) on Day 8 of the 97^th All-India MCC-Murugappa Gold Cup Hockey Tournament in Chennai on Thursday. 

Naveen Antil scored hat-trick goals in the last four minutes to help Punjab National Bank (PNB) hold Indian Railways (RSPB) to a thrilling 4-4 draw in the first match. PNB took the lead in the 11^th minute when Gursimran Singh converted to a penalty corner. RSPB turned the game around in the second quarter, with Sheshe Gowda scoring from penalty corners in the 26^th and 28^th minutes. 

Lovepreet Singh put RSPB 3-1 ahead with a field goal in the 31^st minute, and Jaswinder Singh made it 4-1 with another field goal in the 47^th minute. RSPB looked set for victory until Naveen Antil struck three field goals in the 57^th, 59^th and 60^th minutes to complete a hat-trick and level the scores at 4-4. The match ended in a draw. 

In the last league match of the tournament, Indian Navy beat Malaysia Hockey Confederation – Juniors 4-2 to secure a place in the semi-finals. Bhavin Kushalappa gave Indian Navy the lead with a field goal in the 8^th minute, but Muhamad Harith levelled for Malaysia Jr with a field goal in the 27^th minute. K Selvaraj restored Indian Navy’s lead with a penalty corner in the 30^th minute, and Pawan Rajbhar made it 3-1 with a field goal in the 36^th minute. Nitesh stretched the lead to 4-1 with a field goal in the 43^rd minute. Muhammad Aizat pulled one back for Malaysia Jr with a field goal in the 44^th minute, but Indian Navy held on to secure the win. 

With these results, the league stage is complete in both pools. In Pool A, Indian Railways finish at the top with 10 points, while Indian Army, on 5 points, take second place to join them in the semi-finals. In Pool B, Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd (BPCL) finish on top with 10 points, and Indian Navy, on 8 points, take the second spot to complete the semifinal line-up. 

The Results:

Pool A: Indian Railways (RSPB) 4 (Sheshe Gowda 26^th and 28^th minute, Both PC; Lovepreet Singh 31^st minute, FG; Jaswinder Singh 47^th minute, FG) drew Punjab National Bank (PNB) 4 (Gursimran Singh 11^th minute, PC; Naveen Antil 57^th, 59^th and 60^th minute, All FG).

Pool B: Indian Navy 4 (Bhavin Kushalappa 8^th minute, FG; K Selvaraj 30^th minute, PC; Pawan Rajbhar 36^th minute, FG; Nitesh 43^rd minute, FG) beat Malaysia Hockey Confederation – Juniors (MAS) 2 (Muhamad Harith 27^th minute, FG; Muhammad Aizat 44^th minute, FG). 

Match schedule: Saturday, 31^st October 2026

1st Semifinal at 4.00 PM – INDIAN RAILWAYS (RSPB) Vs INDIAN NAVY

2nd Semifinal at 6.00 PM – BHARAT PETROLEUM CORPORATION LTD (BPCL) Vs INDIAN ARMY 

Points Table 

POOL ‘A’	Played	Won	Drawn	Lost	Points	For	Against	Difference
INDIAN RAILWAYS - RSPB	4	3	1	0	10	10	5	5
INDIAN ARMY	4	1	2	1	5	10	7	3
HOCKEY KARNATAKA	4	0	3	1	3	5	6	-1
INDIAN OIL CORPORATION LTD	4	0	3	1	3	8	11	-3
PUNJAB NATIONAL BANK	4	0	3	1	3	12	16	-4

POOL ‘B’	Played	Won	Drawn	Lost	Points	For	Against	Difference
BHARAT PETROLEUM CORPORATION LTD	4	3	1	0	10	17	10	7
INDIAN NAVY	4	2	2	0	8	15	10	5
HOCKEY UNIT OF TAMIL NADU	4	1	2	1	5	10	12	-2
MALAYSIA HOCKEY CONFEDERATION - JUNIORS	4	1	0	3	3	6	10	-4
SAI – NCOE, BHOPAL	4	0	1	3	1	11	17	-6